Have you noticed we learn from the example of those around us? Scientists have proven by the age of three we were already programmed with our basic patterns of behavior and core beliefs.

The people and environments we spend time with greatly impact our quality of life. It’s monkey see, monkey do.

Observe the people in your life. What do they think, feel, say and do? What are their values and level of health, joy and fulfillment?

What is their example, because we model the behavior of the people closest to us and with whom we spend the most time.

Who is in your circle of influence?

Have you noticed people complain a great deal about their lives? Complaining destroys life and growth. It is a negative use of creative energy. When we focus energy and attention on complaining we attract and create more of those complaints. Complaining perpetuates the same thing we do not like and want out of our life. We live in a cause and effect universe.

Give yourself and others a break or some grace. Close your complaint department permanently. At least try it for an hour and see if you can make it an entire day without complaining. (Even if you verbally do not complain, watch your thoughts and see if they are complaints.)

Let life be the way it is, let yourself be the way you are and let others be the way they are you. The present moment can only be the way it is. When we allow life to be the way it is, magic happens.

The people we spend the most time with contribute greatly to the quality of our life and success.

Our inner network, or “clan” is actually our advisory board. We learn from the examples and patterns of the people we spend time with. It is as simple as monkey see, monkey do.

Choose your friends and associates carefully with discernment and detachment. These people impact you, your beliefs, values and your actions. Be aware and make conscious choices for your advisory board.

Do these people unconditionally support and encourage your greatness? Are they examples of proper principles?

Allow the right circumstances, people and opportunities to develop and present themselves. When you are not sure what to do, usually the best action is non-action. Wait until you feel clear on how and when to move forward.

It is amazing how a good friend or adviser can inspire us with their wisdom and belief at a key moment. Friends are one of God’s greatest gifts because they only want our best and their love and support is unconditional.

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”

Studies from The National Institutes of Health, University of Massachusetts and Mind/Body Medical Institute at Harvard University show meditation enhances the qualities companies need most from their knowledge workers: increased brain-wave activity, enhanced intuition, better concentration, and the alleviation of the kinds of aches and pains that plague employees most.

Business Week Magazine“… a growing number of corporations, including Deutsche Bank, Google and Hughes Aircraft offer meditation classes to their workers. Making employees sharper is only one benefit; studies say meditation also improves productivity, in large part by preventing stress-related illness and reducing absenteeism.”

TIME MagazineMeditation has some high-profile corporate disciples, including bond-fund king William H. Gross, of Pacific Investment Management Co., who often meditates before a day of trading at his $349 billion money-management firm. Tech outfits like Apple Computer, Yahoo and Google are also signing up and so are old economy businesses like consulting firm McKinsey, Deutsche Bank, and Hughes Aircraft.

Business Week MagazineA 2005 study by Harvard instructor Dr. Sara W. Lazar, showed that meditation can help to increase brain function, reduce the effects of aging on the brain, and improve concentration and memory.

The positive effects of meditation — increased calm, ease, center, poise, and balance — are now bolstered by over 4 decades of scientific research and more than 700 scientific tests conducted at universities such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford as well as on going studies at MIT, University of Massachusetts and Harvard Medical School.

Intuitively, most leaders sense that more stress is not the way to build performance.

Any one or all of these benefits are of value and the possibility of actualizing them should inspire us to meditate on a regular schedule. All is within. Meditation allows us to naturally unfold to higher consciousness.

Visit Roy at his website or meditation retreats in beautiful Lakemont, GA. The meditation CD is wonderful and can be ordered from The Center for Spiritual Awareness website. Roy is one of the few remaining direct disciples of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Meditation practiced properly can transform every aspect of life and bring out our innate qualities.

“In order to improve your family, company, nation or world community, YOU must begin by improving yourself.”Brian Browne Walker

Lee Papier

Lee Papier is a business and life coach in the human potential field. For 30 years he has studied what motivates human/spiritual beings. His life passion focuses on inspiring people to grow, awaken and actualize their divine potential.

As co-founder of the Power of Acknowledgement organization in the eighties, Lee and his mentor, Michael Wyman shared a powerful technology to uplift people to achieve their dreams. In 1985, Lee and Michael served as motivational coaches for the New York Rangers working directly with Craig Patrick, who was assistant coach on the legendary 1980 US Olympic Hockey team.

Lee also founded Insights to Excellence, Inc., a sales and management consulting and training organization. He developed and presented seminars designed to empower people to actualize their full potential, both personally and professionally.

Lee's has two passions. As The MEGA Coach, his focus is to inspire people to live the divine plan of their lives. In addition, Lee is a Wealth Advisor in financial services and retirement planning. He provides effective financial solutions that guarantee protection, security and financial freedom.

Lee graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Rochester and an MBA in Finance and Human Resource Management from the University of San Diego.

Lee uplifts people to make each day a masterpiece. In his blog, Have A Magnificent Day!, Lee offers daily boosts of inspiration to help you start your day with a ray of hope and positive thoughts.